M.S. graduate student sought. The M.S. project involves quantitative analysis of understory plots which have been established in permanent naturally-occurring shortleaf pine growth plots. There are currently three measurements of these plots available for analysis. A fourth measurement will be obtained during the next measurement cycle which begins this fall. When the shortleaf pine overstory plots were established, an existing primarily hardwood midstory was removed and thinning treatments were applied. Understory sub-plots were established within 0.2-acre overstory plots to track the development of the understory consisting of hardwood sprouts and pine and hardwood seedling growth. Analysis of these data is valuable for indicating the future development of similar naturally-occurring shortleaf pine forests. Naturally-occurring shortleaf pine forests are important especially in the southeastern U.S. for many amenities including habitat for wildlife species such as the red –cockaded woodpecker.
Qualifications: B.S. in biologically-related or a quantitative discipline such as math or statistics. Forestry coursework or background a plus. Application deadline: November 1, 2011 or until a suitable applicant is found. The stipend for the M.S. Graduate Research Assistantship is $15,000 per year. GRA begins January 2012 and renewed for two years subject to satisfactory progress on project. GRAs include tuition waivers. Please contact: Thomas B. Lynch, Oklahoma State University, 405-744-5447, tom.ly...@okstate.edu .
